Two medical students from the University of Makerere in Uganda, Julliet Allen and Gilbert Elijah, will be in Des Moines for an 8-week rotation.  They will arrive on March 20 for a four-week rotation in the DMU Clinic and four-weeks at Mercy Medical Center and will head home on May 14.  Please welcome Julliet and Gilbert when you see them on campus!

This rotation was created through the partnership DMU has with the University of Makerere in Uganda.  Several DMU students are scheduled to rotate in Uganda with a few already returning from this rotation site.

The Global Health dept. is currently searching for adequate accommodations for these two students while in Des Moines.  If you are interested in helping with this opportunity by offering home stay, please contact Chris Catrenich!

Posted in Community Service, Current Students, DMU News, Des Moines Events, Global Health, Life in Des Moines, New Students, Student Life | Leave a Comment

Sorry I have been MIA these past few months, I am a slacking on that new year’s resolution to blog more!

Anyways on to my thoughts: I believe everyone has a passion. Something ingrained in their character and something that takes a huge part in shaping who they become. These passions bring out the best (and even the worst) in many of us and allow us to experience a joy that wells up within our soul and a heartache that can be devastating.

Most of us give our life fighting for, loving, giving, working and caring for these passions in hopes to improve, live out and experience whatever that passion is. I am not just talking about something you like to do but the thing that brings you life and rocks you at your core! For some this is raising a family, for others it’s becoming the best at something (sport, art, music, dance, etc.), for most of us at DMU it’s medicine, and the list goes on and on.

Posted in Global Health, Public Health, Student Life | 2 Comments

Surely you’re wearing green or have been pinched by now! St. Patrick’s day has become a fun tradition for the Irish and wannabe-Irish all over. Did you know it actually started as a religious holiday? If you’re interested, check out this Wiki page on the history of today and why we wear green and shamrocks!

I’ve never experienced a St. Patty’s celebration like the one in Manhattan. There were more folks from Ireland there to celebrate than Americans I think! It was a crazy party. Have you ever seen the green river in Chicago? Or the huge parade in New York?

Posted in Current Students, Des Moines Events, Life in Des Moines, Student Life | 2 Comments

Some people always party for St. Patrick’s day. Some people ignore it.

Even though I have the Irish blood (in case my red hair & freckles didn’t tip you off..) I don’t generally do much for it. Our family tradition is a bit random but fun – my mom always makes chocolate cake for breakfast so I may have to slip over there in the morning before work.

Anyway, if you’re the type that loves to have a lil green fun, check out the huge Des Moines St. Patty’s parade or  hit up one of the tent parties! Here’s a full guide to all the green goodness.

Posted in Current Students, Des Moines Events, Student Life | 1 Comment

Some days, I crave for a snack that comes in pairs like strawberry + Cool-Whip, pretzels + peanut butter, chips + salsa, and especially McDonald’s fries + ice cream cone…really! If you have not tried this sweet and salty pair, give it a try. You might be surprised at how lovely this pair can be.

I’ve heard of some strange combos that I have not personally tried but are apparently common in some families. Have you heard of Laughing Cow cheese with bananas? I mean I do like both, separately though, I just haven’t had the desire to change the flavor of my banana. I like my fruits fresh or with whipped cream but with cheese? I haven’t thought about that!

What crazy pairs do you most enjoy?

Posted in Student Bloggers, Student Life | 10 Comments

If you like standup comedy, and don’t mind a little adult humor, check out The Funny Bone in West Des Moines. I was just there on Saturday evening with some friends and I had a good time just hanging out and getting my funny bone tickled all night long. If you sign up for their mailing list, you have a great chance at winning some free tickets, which was how I ended up there (of course!).

Where’s your fave place to catch a comedy act?

Posted in Des Moines Events, Life in Des Moines, Student Bloggers, Student Life | 2 Comments